The Serial Killer Letters: A Penetrating Look Inside the Minds of Murderers

by Jennifer Furio

Book Overview

For over three years Jennifer Furio, a young mother of two and a Sunday School teacher from Bellingham, Washington, corresponded with some of the most infamous serial killers of our time. While Furio... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 091478384X
• ISBN13: 9780914783848
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Charles Press Pubs(PA)
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

This book took alot of courage.

I'm glad to see that you were able to go beyond what someone had to say, and really get to know the inmates. Its about time someone stood up for them even if they were gulity. This was not about if they were or not. It was a chance for them to tell their side, unrated. I believe if you listen to them, you can get to really see them for themselves.

Felt like I was the correspondent

When I read Furio's book, I felt like I was the one getting the letters. Except for her first letter at the beginning, I think to demonstrate her way of writing to all of the men, she doesn't include herself. It's an egoless journey. Somehow, this let me look at them so incredibly personally...I knew I was hearing from serial killers, but they also became, through such an intimate format, more than the heinous creatures they became, through their life experiences. I am NOT saying that they don't belong where they are, but now I am forced to question what it is, that they went through, as well. Furio seems to have taken risks to get her information - I can see why much of herself may have been left out for this reason as well as courageous need to get people to view these men as close to real as possible. Show me another book that reminds us they're human, and I'll sell you a...Anyhow, I appreciate this perspective. I'm moved in many directions. I'm irritated and pitying and horrified and, of all things, enlightened, simultaneously.

cool! scary! even learned something!

Check out this chick. She's this young gal who isn't afraid to go into the heads of these guys...who needs to see what SHE wrote? Obviously, she did, just look at how they answer her letters. Maybe she just thought one letter would be enough unless you have a wood head, just to get the idea...otherwise, how boring to listen too...it's thier stories I want to read. Isn't it obvious by their responses that she took her share of hits to get what she wanted? She comes off as sometimes a no bullshit gal who wants to know it all: why they kill, how, and even what mags they read. They are these sicko characters, but on the other hand, Furio shows the other side. That scared the hell out of me: they ARE "normal..." read David Gore. Couldn't get him out of my head, but on the other hand, after he finished talking about HOW he skinned a woman alive, he explained WHY. She got him to tell all. I felt sick. I mean, I ended up hating a lot of these guys, but then I saw what was up, too. It's a wierd trip, friends. Gotta take it, though!

Like a car accident: you don't want to look but you do

I think this is the most bizarre reading experience I have ever had. I felt like I was with these guys. I found myself feeling bad for some of them...and the pictures, wow. Really sad stuff. Regardless, when they describe what they did, and some in almost too much detail, you go back to hating them. I always just thought a serial killer was some kind of monster you saw on T.V., but in this book, you start thinking that they are the normal guys that live down the block. The writer, how she thought of this idea, and had the balls to know these guys, is amazing. She's gorgeous too, which is how she probably got them to write. Why would a babe like that choose this? She said it was something spiritual, like a calling to understand and put their words out there so they seem like real human beings, for better or worse. I don't know if I could of done it, or if I understand them any better, but it's true, they may seem like monsters, but they are just guys. I think that's what's so creepy.

Wow. What a COOL COOL book. Never read anything like it

These letters from serial killers simply knocked me out! Some of them are sick beyond belief. I actually couldn't believe what I was reading in some cases. Especially the guy from Florida who describes raping & skinning women. It actually made my skin crawl. And what about these guys who say they're innocent when it's so obvious they're guilty. Like the guy who was convicted of 20 counts of 1st degeree murder. Does he think we're going to believe that the police made a mistake 20 times? Yeah...right. I've read just about every single true crime book in print, but I've never read anything like this. If you really want to get close to these guys (only on paper, thank you very much), read this book. It is scary beyond belief cause it is the killers talking, not some author telling us about what they said. And what about the author? I wonder if she is scared about printing the letters these killers wrote to her? I cannot recommend this book more highly. It will blow your mind if you are into serial killers and crime. It is extremely first hand information. Way to go!